Nightingale

The Nightingale is an elegant and refreshing cocktail with a striking ruby-pink hue. It masterfully balances the botanical notes of gin with the sweet floral character of elderflower liqueur, the zesty brightness of fresh lemon juice, and a pleasant bitter finish from Campari. This sophisticated drink is a perfect example of a modern sour, appealing to those who enjoy complex yet approachable flavors.
Nightingale

Preparation

Preparation time: 4 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Nightingale is a modern classic cocktail, typically served as an aperitif due to its balanced sweet, sour, and bitter profile. It falls into the category of shaken, gin-based drinks.

Serving

This drink is served straight up in a chilled coupe or cocktail glass. It's a moderately strong cocktail served cold, without ice in the glass.
Serving size
Approximately 120 ml / 4 oz (before dilution)
Alcohol content
Approximately 20-24% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

The Nightingale was created in 2011 by bartender Jörg Meyer at Le Lion • Bar de Paris in Hamburg, Germany. Meyer is also famous for creating the Gin Basil Smash. The drink quickly gained popularity in the craft cocktail scene for its perfect balance and beautiful color.
Origin
Created in Hamburg, Germany, in 2011 by Jörg Meyer at Le Lion • Bar de Paris.

Nightingale

The drink is primarily known as the Nightingale or Nightingale Cocktail, with no other widely used alternative names.
Original name
Nightingale
Alternative name
Nightingale Cocktail

Characteristics overview

The Nightingale offers a complex flavor profile that is citrusy, floral, and pleasantly bitter, with a smooth, crisp texture. Its vibrant pink appearance and refreshing nature make it an elegant, year-round sipper.
Flavor
floral, citrusy, bitter, botanical, slightly sweet
Aroma
juniper, grapefruit, elderflower, herbal
Taste balance
sweet, sour, bitter
Aftertaste
clean, lingering bitterness, herbal
Fizziness
still
Color appearance
vibrant pink, ruby, clear
Texture
smooth, crisp
Seasonality
refreshing, summery, year-round

Flavor intensity & Experience

This drink presents a balanced intensity, with moderate sweetness, sourness, and bitterness, complemented by fruity and floral notes. It has a medium alcohol strength and is completely still.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires four key ingredients: a botanical gin, a floral elderflower liqueur, the bitter aperitif Campari, and freshly squeezed lemon juice for acidity.
  • Gin50 ml / 1.75 oz
    A London Dry Gin works well to cut through the other flavors.
  • Elderflower Liqueur25 ml / 0.75 oz
    St-Germain is the most common choice.
  • Campari20 ml / 0.66 oz
    Provides the characteristic bitterness and color.
  • Fresh Lemon Juice20 ml / 0.66 oz
    Must be freshly squeezed for best results.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a standard cocktail shaker set, including a jigger for measuring and strainers to achieve a clean pour. A citrus juicer is essential for the fresh juice.
  • Cocktail shaker for chilling and combining ingredients.
  • Jigger or measuring tool for accurate proportions.
  • Strainers (Hawthorne and fine mesh) for a smooth texture.
  • Citrus juicer for fresh lemon juice.

Instructions

The preparation involves chilling a glass, shaking all liquid ingredients with ice until cold, and then double-straining into the prepared glass. A grapefruit twist garnish finishes the drink.
1. Chill your coupe or cocktail glass by filling it with ice and water, or by placing it in the freezer for at least 15 minutes.
2. Add the gin, elderflower liqueur, Campari, and fresh lemon juice to a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with cubed ice.
4. Shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds until the outside of the shaker is well-chilled.
5. Discard the ice from your chilled glass.
6. Double-strain the contents of the shaker into the chilled glass to remove any ice shards or citrus pulp.
7. Express a grapefruit twist over the surface of the drink to release its aromatic oils, then drop it into the glass as a garnish.
8. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Garnishing

The standard garnish is a grapefruit twist, which is expressed over the drink's surface to add aromatic oils that complement the flavors.
  • Grapefruit twist, expressed over the drink to release oils and then placed in the glass.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is generally free of common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, and gluten. However, it is not considered vegan in most regions due to the coloring used in Campari.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

A single serving of the Nightingale contains a moderate amount of calories, primarily from the alcohol and sugar in the liqueurs. The carbohydrate and sugar content is also moderate.
Calories
Averagely 190-220 kcal / 795-920 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 15-18 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 14-17 g
Sugar level

Occasions

The Nightingale is an excellent aperitif, perfect for sipping before a meal or at a sophisticated cocktail party. Its refreshing qualities also make it a great choice for warm summer evenings or celebratory occasions.
  • Pre-dinner drink
  • Cocktail party
  • Summer evening
  • Celebratory toast

Pairing suggestions

The Nightingale's balanced sweet, sour, and bitter profile pairs well with salty and savory appetizers. Consider serving it with olives, cured meats, light cheeses, or seafood-based bites to complement its complex flavors.
  • Salty snacks like olives or prosciutto
  • Light appetizers like bruschetta
  • Goat cheese and crackers
  • Seafood canapés

The Nightingale: A Modern Symphony of Flavor

The Nightingale is a sophisticated modern classic cocktail created by Jörg Meyer in Hamburg. It presents a beautiful balance between the botanicals of gin, the floral sweetness of elderflower liqueur, the assertive bitterness of Campari, and the fresh tartness of lemon. Served straight up in a coupe glass with a grapefruit twist, it is both visually stunning and delicious. This refreshing aperitif is perfect for those who appreciate a complex, well-rounded drink that is neither too sweet nor too bitter.

Similar Cocktails

Siesta

Swaps gin for tequila and uses lime juice instead of lemon, creating a tequila-based cousin with a similar Campari bitterness.

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